2019-09519. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Earthquake Hazards Program Research and Monitoring

AGENCY:

U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information collection as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 10, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments on this information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior by email at [e-mail]; or via facsimile to [phone]. Please provide a copy of your comments to USGS, Information Collections Clearance Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by email to [e-mail]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1028-0051 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request additional information about this ICR, contact Jill M. Franks, Earthquake Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey by email at [e-mail], or by telephone at 703-648-6716. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We, the USGS, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on February 1, 2019, 83 FR 1199. No comments were received.

We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: Research and monitoring findings are essential to fulfilling USGS's responsibility under the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act to develop earthquake hazard assessments and recording earthquake activity nationwide. Residents, emergency responders, and engineers rely on the USGS for this accurate and scientifically sound information. The Earthquake Hazards Program funds external investigators to carry out these important activities. In response to our Program Announcements investigators submit proposals for research and monitoring activities on earthquake hazard assessments, earthquake causes and effects, and earthquake monitoring. This information is used as the basis for selection and award of projects meeting the USGS's Earthquake Hazards Program objectives. Final reports of research and monitoring findings are required for each funded proposal; annual progress reports are required for awards of a two- to five-year duration. Final reports are made available to the public at the website http://earthquake.usgs.gov/​research/​external/​.

Title of Collection: Earthquake Hazards Program Research and Monitoring.

OMB Control Number: 1028-0051.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Research scientists, engineers, and the general public.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 350.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 350 responses in total, consisting of 250 applications and narratives and 100 annual and final reports.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: 45 hours per proposal application response and 12 hours per final or annual progress report.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 12,450 (11,250 hours per application and 1,200 hours per final or annual progress report).

Respondent's Obligation: Required in order to receive or retain benefits.

Frequency of Collection: Annually and once every two to five years.

Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: There are no “non-hour cost” burdens associated with this IC.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.).

Trent M. Richardson,

Deputy Associate Director for Natural Hazards.